Tillis: NC gay marriage ban likely to be reversed

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis is standing by a prediction that the proposed amendment to the North Carolina Constitution banning same-sex marriage will be approved by voters, only to be reversed within a generation.

Opponents of the ban have seized on Tillis’ comments, which were made Monday before a student group at North Carolina State University and first reported by Technician, the campus newspaper.

Tillis was quoted as predicting Amendment One will pass with about 54 percent of the vote, but will be repealed within 20 years because young people are more supportive of marriage rights for same sex couples.

Tillis spokesman Jordan Shaw confirmed the speaker’s comments were accurately reported. Shaw said Tillis still supports the GOP-backed measure, which he voted to put on the May 8 primary ballot.